If you suspect that your child has a communicable disease that might spread to others:
- Keep your child at home and away from others
- Contact your family doctor for a diagnosis
- Your doctor will advise you about care and treatment when a communicable disease is diagnosed.
Children with the following diseases should remain at home and away from others.
List of communicable diseases
Chickenpox (Varicella)
- It is recommended that individuals who have chickenpox stay home until they are feeling well and it has been five days since the start of their rash or until lesions have crusted over, whichever comes first.
Gastroenteritis (diarrhea/vomiting)
- Gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., vomiting, diarrhea) can be an indication of both enteric and other illnesses, including COVID-19. If no specific pathogen is identified, children and staff with new or worsening symptoms of gastroenteritis must be free of vomiting and diarrhea for at least 48 hours before returning to child care.
Fifth's Disease (Parvovirus)
- No exclusion
- Children well enough to participate in all activities can attend school
Impetigo
- Until the antibiotic prescribed by a doctor has been taken for at least 24 hours and they feel well enough to participate
Measles (Rubeola)
- For at least 4 days after the rash begins
Mumps
- For at least 5 days after the swollen glands first appear
Pink-eye, bacterial (conjunctivitis)
- Until the antibiotic prescribed by a doctor has been taken for at least 24 hours
Ringworm
- Until first treatment has been started
Rubella (German measles)
- Until at least 7 days after the rash first appears
Scabies
- Until after the first treatment
Scarlet fever
- Until antibiotic prescribed by a doctor has been taken for at least 24 hours and they feel well enough to participate in activities
Strep throat
- Until antibiotic prescribed by a doctor has been taken for at least 24 hours and they feel well enough to participate in activities
Whooping cough (Pertussis)
- Exclude until 5 days of appropriate antibiotic treatment received or for 3 weeks from onset of illness, if not treated
Source: Canadian Paediatric Society